TRASLACION 2024. Devotees cheer upon seeing the arrival of the Black Nazarene at the Quiapo Church in Manila on Tuesday (Jan. 9, 2024). The "Traslacion" procession lasted almost 15 hours. (PNA photo by Avito C. Dalan)
MANILA – The “Traslacion” or the grand procession to celebrate the Feast of the Black Nazarene ended after nearly 15 hours at the Minor Basilica of Jesus Nazareno in Quiapo, Manila on Tuesday night.
According to the Quiapo Church Command Post, the official time of the whole procession was 14 hours and 59.10 minutes.
“From 4:45 a.m., nag-end ang prusisyon ng Traslacion ng (the Traslacion ended at) 7:44 p.m. official time,” it said.
The procession started at the Quirino Grandstand across Rizal Park and ended at the Minor Basilica on Quezon Boulevard.
“So far, sa pagbabalik muli ng Traslacion, ito ang pinaka-maaga (So far, since the return of Traslacion, this was the earliest),” the command post said.
It added that more than 6.5 million devotees attended the procession of the Black Nazarene, which was encased in laminated tempered glass for the first time.
“Yes, kung bibilangin simula sa 5 a.m. data until 6 p.m., umaabot na po ng 6,532,501 ang procession (Yes, if we will count from 5 a.m. data until today 6 p.m., it reached 6,532,501 devotees who attended the procession),” the report added.
According to the Philippine National Police, the movement of the "andas" or the carriage of the Black Nazarene image moved faster compared to previous years.
The holding of the grand procession returned after being suspended for three years due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Last year, a Walk of Faith was held to celebrate the annual feast without the traditional grand procession.
No major incidents
The Philippine National Police (PNP) also said this year's Traslacion, the fastest in recent history, was generally peaceful.
"Generally peaceful except for some reported illnesses and injuries sustained by some devotees and other spectators," PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said in a message Tuesday night, shortly after the procession ended before 8 p.m.
A total of 706 devotees who participated in the Feast of the Black Nazarene sought medical help, according to the Philippine Red Cross.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda Jr. also said the security measures implemented for the observance "went according to plan" and that there were no major incidents that marred the occasion.
The Naval Task Group-National Capital Region (NTG-NCR) announced that it was among the security forces that secured the Traslacion.
It added that it deployed a "quick reaction team"(QRT) composed of two officers and 26 enlisted personnels from the Philippine Marine Corps.
NTG-NCR also deployed a medical team, communications team and an explosive ordnance disposal team as support units for this year’s feast of the Black Nazarene.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines earlier said it has deployed 400 military personnel from various units to help secure the festivities.
Giving back to the community
Meanwhile, devotees unite in groups, extending the spirit of generosity and compassion during the Traslacion.
George Borja, a medical volunteer, said helping other people through medical assistance is one form of devotion.
"Maraming klase ng devotion eh. Tulad nila, nagde-devote sila walang suot sa paa, maghapon magdamag. 'Yung sa amin, 'yung devotion namin is to serve the Black Nazarene through helping people through giving medical assistance (Like them, they express their devotion by walking barefoot throughout the day. For us, we show our devotion to the Black Nazarene by helping people through giving medical assistance)," he said.
Borja and his colleagues take a leave from work to volunteer and provide free medical assistance during the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
"It's our way to give back sa mga blessings na nare-receive namin (It's our way of giving back for all the blessings that we receive),"he said.
Meanwhile, along Carriedo Street near Quiapo Church, there are small replicas of the Black Nazarene set up by groups of devotees.
A carriage arranged by a community from Binondo particularly stood out, as it was manned by children who offered ‘libreng papunas’ to the image of the Black Nazarene.
James Mayuyo, a 9-year-old kid guarding the carriage with his friends, said he had been engaged in this religious initiative since he was five years old.
“Ginawa po namin ‘to para mapakita namin 'yung faith namin sa kanya (We are doing this to express our faith to the Black Nazarene),” Mayuyo said.
Meanwhile, Mayuyo's aunt, Kriz Mangulab, said they upgraded the setup of the carriage with their communities’ support.
“Before, itong carriage namin, santo lang siya itself then may tinatawag na tingka. 'Yun ang pasan-pasan namin noon (Before, we only have the small replica image of the Black Nazarene itself. We only use wood planks to carry it on our shoulders back then),” she said.
“Pero since may mga groups na nag-sponsor, may nagbibigay ng konting mga fund, nabuo po ito. Ganito na po siya kaayos ngayon (Since groups from our community sponsored us, this carriage was built. It is more presentable now),” she added.
Aside from the ‘papunas,’ they also offered free bottles of water for other devotees.
This group from Binondo is just among the devotees who go around Quiapo Church during Traslacion to spread little acts of kindness such as providing free goods and services to other faithful during the Feast of the Black Nazarene.
For them, giving back to the community is one way to bring their devotion to action and make a positive impact on other people.
Elated
Organizers of the Traslacion, meanwhile, are pleased over the fast conclusion of this year’s procession.
Nazareno 2024 adviser Alex Irasga said the image of the Black Nazarene was in good condition after they removed it from the glass enclosure used for the Traslacion.
“Unlike before, pagkatapos ng Traslacion ay basa, amoy pawis, minsan may pagkain pa sa ilalim, ngayon maayos na maayos ang ating Senyor (after the Traslacion, the image is wet and smells like sweat and there are food traces under it, now, our Señor is in a good condition),” he added.
The longest procession of the image was recorded in 2012, where it took 22 hours to arrive at Plaza Miranda due to the broken wheels of the carriage and a ripped rope.
This year, the Andas (carriage) has a new design wherein the image is enclosed with tempered glass, which made it well-protected inside.
Sarao Motors also installed lights at the Andas that allowed the devotees to see the image even at night.
It also had closed circuit television cameras for security, and a sound system. It was guarded by 20 members of the Hijos del Nazareno.
Meanwhile, the Quiapo Church Command Center said the image used in the procession will be returned to the church on Wednesday.
“Wala pong naiulat na na-damage o may damage ang Andas at sa imahen (There was no reported damage to the Andas and the image),” the Command Center added.
The image used for the procession had the body and feet of the original 400-year-old wooden image, and only used replica of the cross for the procession. The original cross and head of the Black Nazarene stays at the altar of Quiapo Church.
Irasga said they would meet with some devotees to discuss their observations and to prepare for next year’s event.
Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, meanwhile, expressed delight over the success of the Traslacion.
She thanked all stakeholders and the devotees, majority of whom conducted themselves in an orderly manner.
Lacuna also hoped that devotees would heed Church officials’ advice in the next Traslacion for their own safety.
Senator Mark Villar commended the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other government agencies as well as private institutions and devotees for the peaceful conduct of the procession of the Black Nazarene image.
“We owe the success of the Traslacion to the organizers, the members of the Hijos del Nazareno, police officers, and devotees,” Villar said in a statement on Wednesday.
He also thanked the Philippine Red Cross for providing medical aid to over 700 devotees. (With Ava Costales and Lalaine Junio (trainees)/Leonel Abasola/PNA)
